She was taking a journey, a journey back to the area where she had lived all of her life, except for the last eight months. She was going down to see friends and relatives she hadn't seen in months or years.
At one time the journey would have been easy. Now, it hurt. She couldn't even get in or out of the car without the help of her oldest son.
He helped her with a smile and with patience, but it wasn't the same as doing it without help.
Her son drove her through the Catskills, as a late snowstorm colored the ground white. She remembered how, once, there were thriving resorts everywhere. Jewish comedians would come and entertain the crowds. She was part of that crowd several times. Those days were long gone.
Her son took her past the house she had lived in for 52 years. Now, strangers lived there. They had painted it. Flags she never would have used to decorate it flew in the front yard. For months, she had not thought of her new home, near her two sons, as home. But obviously, this was not home any more. Other people would live the journey of their lives there. She had moved on. She could no longer cope with the large property, the stairs. She was living in senior housing now, about three hours away by car.
She was down in her home area for a birthday party - her 104 year old sister in law.
The journey home was hard and tiring.
Finally, her son helped her into her apartment. He turned on the light.
She was home.
Nice post. I am so glad I have a ranch style home. A dear friend has Parkinson's and lives in a tri-level with no bathroom on the main level. Life is very difficult for him. Housing conditions and being near our children becomes more important as we age.
ReplyDeleteI feel for your friend. My mother in law also lived in a split level with no bathroom on the main level. It became impossible for her to live there with her various health issues. It was so traumatic for her to move to where we live - only now is she starting to accept her apartment as "home".
DeleteGreat post, I think many people can find themselves in your words...
ReplyDeleteThank you - perhaps one day I will be in her place, and I hope I can learn from watching what my mother in law has gone through.
DeleteI'm a big fan of the phrase, "It's the journey, not the destination" so I believe that all of us are on that journey and what we make of it is entirely up to us. And as your post suggests, home is where we rest our heads before rising again for something new.
ReplyDeleteYou speak truth.
DeleteVery lovely words and story. Absolutely relate-able.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think, sooner or later, we will all be on that type of journey if we haven't been already.
DeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThis story is so moving, bringing the lady's past and present together. I really love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your praise.
DeleteBeautiful pictures and that journey to reach home.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete:) A very sweet and meaningful post.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I'm happy you enjoyed it.
DeleteLots of "Journeys" today! Very awesome.
ReplyDelete--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side Blog
2015 A to Z of Adventure!
http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/
Thank you.
DeleteMoving is sad, especially under those circumstances. But she'll always have the memories of having lived there.
ReplyDeleteYes, she has many memories. That's one reason why it was so hard for her to move. When you are in a house for 52 years....
DeleteThat was great, and I loved the way you integrated the pictures with the story. Although much younger, I had a similar experience last month, travelling for a reunion with old friends and wondering why I'd moved away. But it was wonderful to get home :)
ReplyDeleteJemima Pett
I feel that way about travel in general - happy to leave, happy (usually) to get back.
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